PRESS STATEMENT 01/2014
Garowe, 8 January 2014 – The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, has congratulated Puntland’s President-elect Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas, appointed today by members of the Puntland Parliament. “I applaud the Speaker and Members of Parliament for their efforts leading to the smooth process of today’s vote. I also appreciate the important role of the traditional leaders. I congratulate all the people of Puntland,” Mr. Kay said. SRSG Kay saluted the smooth and peaceful transfer of power and the constructive role of outgoing President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole.
He noted that despite numerous challenges along the way, through compromise and perseverance, the Puntland-led process had achieved its goal of selecting the region’s new leadership. He called for calm and unity in the region following the process.